Hey everyone!
MTC Media has a new NBA short-form column called 20 Second Timeout.
The column will feature a combination of written, video, and audio content that’s equivalent to the “grab and go” section at your local deli.
Is it Time to Eliminate the NBA Draft
The current Collective Bargaining Agreement has continued to push the NBA into its first true era of parity.
With all the aprons, restrictions, luxury tax penalties, and everything in between, I asked myself the question: Does the NBA need the draft to serve as a mechanism to even the playing field?
Think about it. Most of the best teams are full of veterans and are flirting with or over the first or second apron. It would only take a slight modification to address players coming out of college or overseas.
The modification, combined with the current rules, would prevent, for example, Cooper Flagg from signing with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
So, having thought this out, I decided to bounce it off a scout and an agent, and, for various reasons, it was shot down faster than Usain Bolt in the 100 meters.
Ok… but at the very least, I feel like my suggested changes to the lottery should be adopted.
What Type of Players Will Team Up with Doncic?
The Los Angeles Lakers made it clear that this was Luka Doncic’s team.
No longer will LeBron James’ input be welcomed.
As we speak, several big-name players are slated to become free agents in 2027.
The Lakers can get their books in a place to sign one of those players, but will they be able to?
The name mentioned the most is Giannis Antetokounmpo. It remains to be seen if Antetokounmpo will be willing to leave Milwaukee.
The Lakers have shown that they are willing to bring along a relative to seal the deal. Los Angeles drafted Bronny James. Why not sign Thanasis if it seals the deal with Giannis?
Nikola Jokic has also been mentioned but there’s no indication that he has a desire to leave Denver.
One of the things that has changed from the old days is how max contracts are calculated:
- Be named to an All-NBA team (first, second, or third) in the preceding season or two of the three previous seasons.
- Be named Defensive Player of the Year in the preceding season or two of the three previous seasons.
- Win the NBA MVP award in one of the three preceding seasons.
If I’m a young free agent with superstar ability, there’s no way I want to play with a ball-dominant Doncic in a system that has the media vote. Can the media be trusted to see past Doncic to give a younger superstar a vote? There’s no way I would take that chance.
